Known as Ma Ganga —Mother Ganges—the river is revered as a goddess whose purity cleanses the sins of the faithful and aids the dead on their path toward heaven. But while her spiritual purity has remained unchallenged for millennia, her physical purity has deteriorated as pollution imposes an ever-growing burden. Ganges’ divine waters purify those who immerse themselves in the river. It is even said that a single drop of Ganges water, carried by the wind over a great distance, can cleanse a lifetime of sins. In cities along the river, daily dips and floating deepams are an important ritual among the faithful. Many cities are considered sacred and serve as pilgrimage sites. Many people from all over the world travels great distances to scatter the ashes of loved ones in the Ganges to attain salvation.